Feet to the Seat

Feet to the Seat Campaign encourages LRSD students to be at school every day

September is Attendance Awareness month nationwide, and the new Feet to the Seat aims to combat chronic absenteeism in the Little Rock School District through helping parents and students understand the importance of daily school attendance. Created in partnership with the Heart of Arkansas United Way, AR Kids Read, and the Optimist Club of Greater Little Rock, Feet to the Seat will utilize social media, mass media, parent messaging systems and community outreach to share how absenteeism impacts student performance.

“It takes all of us working together – home, school, and community – to provide the support our students need,” said LRSD Superintendent Mike Poore. “We are grateful for this important partnership with Heart of United Way, the Optimist Club, and AR Kids Read. Having a campaign that creates awareness and encourages regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways we can help prepare our students for success.”

“We believe the community has a responsibility to support the important work our schools are doing. This partnership has allowed us to develop materials that will help students develop the skills and habits they need early in the school year to be at school, on time, every day,” said Mollie Palmer, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Heart of Arkansas United Way.

“We have a responsibility to support children and families in our community. Our organization is built around helping students to establish the foundational skill of reading, which hinges on attendance. This partnership has not only allowed us to develop materials and support the critical work our schools are doing but has given a greater picture of the impact that can be made when we come together,” said Megan Golden, Director of Marketing and Outreach for AR Kids Read.

Facts about chronic absenteeism:

Students are considered chronically absent when they miss ten percent of the school year for any reason. You may not realize it, but that’s just two days per month!

Students who are chronically absent do not perform as well academically.

Children who are chronically absent are less likely to read at proficiently by the end of third grade, which is a key indicator toward future success. In later grades, chronic absence is a key warning sign that a student will drop out of school.

Being present in the classroom is key to the development of social skills that students need.

The Little Rock School District will host several events throughout September to observe Attendance Awareness Month, including an Instagram contest and a simultaneous community walk comprised of the 20 schools identified in the campaign.